MacIver's Home Run a Bright Spot on a Tough Night

GREENVILLE- The Asheville Tourists dropped their series opener to the Greenville Drive on Monday 7-2 in a game that was really much closer than the score indicated. Asheville had runners aboard in almost every inning but struggled to push runs across.

The Drive did not have those problems. They were led by Devlin Granberg who finished with five RBI thanks to a pair of two-out bases loaded hits. With the score tied 0-0 in the third inning, the home team rallied to load the bases with two away from Granberg. He ripped a three-run double down the line to open the scoring.

Greenville added one more in the fourth inning and the score remained 4-0 until the Tourists finally managed to push a run across in the seventh. Terrin Vavra worked a bases loaded walk. The Drive added three more late before Willie MacIver launched his ninth Home Run of the season in the top of the ninth.

Despite putting the leadoff man aboard in six separate innings, the Tourists had trouble executing. A failed sacrifice bunt early may have cost Asheville. Two double-plays in back-to-back innings certainly ended potential rallies. Also, poor base-running erased a leadoff double in the sixth.

Nick Bush suffered the loss but he pitched well. Colton Harlow tossed a scoreless inning out of the bullpen by striking out the side. The Tourists and the Drive will face off on Tuesday night in game two of the current three-game series.